THE TRAVEL BLOG OF BALTIC TOURS

All Souls’ Day, also known as “Vėlinės,” is one of the most magical and superstitious days in Lithuania, celebrated on the 2nd of November to honor the deceased. Common practices on this day include visiting graves, lighting candles on the tombs of loved ones, and praying for their well-being, making it one of the most important holidays in the Lithuanian calendar. All Souls’ Day has nothing to do with Halloween; it is all about peace and quiet—a day with significant meaning. Therefore, Baltic Tours invites you to learn more about this magical celebration and its country of origin.

Origins of All Souls’ Day

As a Christian holiday, All Souls’ Day originated in the 10th century (993) in the monastery of Cluny city in France when Pope Gregory 5 added November 2nd as the day to pray for the dead. From then on, it quickly spread over Christian-based countries. In some places, the celebration adapted the name of All Souls’ Day; in others, it became the day of the dead. In Lithuania, the origins to honor souls date back to the pagan era when this celebration was called “Ilgės” and lasted for three days. Communication with the deceased was dedicated to the entire fall season after the fields were harvested. Therefore, the celebration we know today was formed by the intertwining of customs from the Christian church with the Lithuanian pagan holiday.

Customs

In pagan times, All Souls’ Day was celebrated with families gathering in cemeteries with food. During the visit, red and black eggs were carried on the grave in the hope it would bring a good harvest. Graves were also watered with mead or wine, and the table was loaded with bread, black pudding, and other dark-colored dishes. People donated drinks and food before eating for the spirits in the afterlife, and leftover food was offered to homeless people to pray for the dead. At the end of the three-day celebration, people started a bonfire while burning all wooden crosses and branches of the graveyard to pray and sing songs for all cemetery souls. Today, if you travel, you can see that All Souls’ Day is still celebrated all over Lithuania. On this day, all members of the family gather and visit the graves of their loved ones together. Graves are carefully cleaned and decorated with fresh and dry flowers or plants, candles are placed next to the monument and lit. Mourning services for the dead are ordered in the churches. One of the main customs of the day is a family feast to connect with loved ones who were lost a long time.

Beliefs

In the past, ancient Lithuanians believed in the return of the spirits from the afterlife to earth to visit their families. If an unfamiliar traveler passed by the house, he would be kindly invited and served. Such people are believed to be a ghost or a messenger of the soul searching for companionship and grace from the living. Later, special significance was assigned to the fire, believed to attract souls that need to be honored four times a year. Do you want to know more? Book your tour with us and feel the spirit of All Souls’ Day in Lithuania!